What remains of Haisnes echoes with tales of coal and conflict. It sits in Hauts-de-France. It is about 9 miles from Béthune. It is also 16 miles southwest of Lille. Today, let’s explore the story of Haisnes, a commune with a past rooted in mining. We will discover resilience through war.
Haisnes locally called Haisnes-lez-la-Bassée is home to about 4411 people. These people are called Haisnois. Haisnes is part of the communauté d’agglomération de Béthune-Bruay. This area includes 100 communes and 275,327 inhabitants.
Consider the waterways. The commune is crossed by the Canal d’Aire à la Bassée. The old Canal d’Aire à la Bassée also runs through it. The Chemin du Roi completes the trio.
Once, Haisnes was deeply involved in coal mining. The first mine shaft was opened in Haisnes in 1859. This mine was named Fosse 6 de Haisnes. It began operating in 1861. Over its lifetime, 6,613,000 tons of coal were extracted from Fosse 6. The mine closed in 1936.
Think about World War I. Haisnes was devastated. The town was awarded the Croix de Guerre in 1920 for its suffering. Imagine the challenge of rebuilding Haisnes after such destruction.
Consider the aftermath of the war. Six months later, the inhabitants had to deal with a grim reality. The presence of corpses of enemies and allies in the quarries. Visions and smells reminding of the past. The risk of epidemics. Military cemeteries were built to end this situation. Three cemeteries can be found in the commune of Haisnes.
The difficulties of the population in the region after the Second World War. Food rationing. A lack of coal, housing, and work. Low salaries. Social misery. Crimes and suicides abounded.
Haisnes is linked to the Lens mining area. The Fosse 6 and the Saint-Élie housing estate are part of the UNESCO World Heritage site. These sites reflect the mining history that shaped Haisnes.
Note the remnants of Fosse 6 de Lens. The first shaft was sunk in 1859. The pithead frame was built of reinforced concrete in 1924. After World War I the pit was rebuilt. Extraction stopped in 1936. The mine was sold to a private person in 1959.
The church of Saint-Nicaise stands as a symbol of rebirth. It was destroyed during World War I. It was rebuilt after 1918. Also, there are the military cemeteries St.Mary’s Advanced Dressing Station Cemetery. There is also Ninth Avenue Cemetery. And finally Bois-Carré Military Cemetery.
One more thing. The town’s blazon tells its story. Wheat symbolizes agriculture. A waterway represents a canal. A coal wagon pushed by a galibot reflects the mining past.
Consider John Kipling. He was Rudyard Kipling’s only son. He is buried in the St.Mary’s Advanced Dressing Station Cemetery in Haisnes.
Today, Haisnes is a place of remembrance. It shows resilience. It combines its mining legacy with a modern outlook. As we leave Haisnes, remember its layers of history. The echoes of mining, war, and the spirit of its people.